Letters to the Editor

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 12:00am

Fine line between stupid and clever

This is one for the record books. It seems South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford was AWOL for 7 days. He was out of touch with his office, security detail, his family — he even skipped Father's Day, having four sons.

Well, the truth is he was in Argentina visiting his girlfriend, "Maria." Racy e-mails are surfacing, and the governor’s wife, who has a penchant for quoting Biblical scripture, might give him a second chance.

She'll need a lot of passages to get past this one.

America loves second chances, but with married men in public office, the line is drawn. Is it in the political DNA why these men, who have everything to lose, cross that line and act stupid?

Bill Clinton is one for the history books. Newt Gingrich, Rudy Giuliani, Elliot Spitzer, Larry Craig, Mark Folley fall in step. I thought John Edwards explanation of having an affair — possibly fathering a child — while on the campaign trail with his wife suffering from incurable uterine cancer, was the worst possible sob story and fate to destroy one's political ambitions.

Gov. Sanford was on the "short list" for a Republican 2012 presidential run. That list just got one name shorter.
Paul D'Argent, 37209

281 Comments on this post:

By:bnakat on 6/26/09 at 2:40

Mr. D'Argent: While we cannot yet place your name in nomination for a Pulitzer prize in journalism, the above offering is better than some of your other efforts. Your attempt to provide a measure of balance is refreshing.

The stupidity of many politicians in several areas seems to be a given. However, any sexual indiscretion, a catchall euphemism for turpitude that offends the mores of decent people, captures special attention. Actually, it is encouraging to know that part of society has not lost its sensitivity to certain standards. Generally, we still expect those in positions of civil, or clerical authority to maintain a high level of principles.

As to such propensities being part of a politician's DNA or RNA, we answer not anymore than unelected individuals. If some gal and guy down at the factory betray their marital vows, if discovered, it is less likely to make the "film at 6:00." (Facebook is another matter.)

For some reason, you felt compelled to mention the First Lady of South Carolina, and her practice of quoting Scripture. She might indeed look to numerous passages for comfort. However, it is hoped that you did not intend to be flippant about this grave transgression of her husband, and the difficulty of forgiving, if he asks. He has broken the marriage covenant, and seriously wounded his wife and boys. He has betrayed numerous others, including his constituents, and yes his political party. The road to redemption will be difficult. He could possibly face legal problems as well. He has himself to blame.

Any further political ambitions he might have entertained were destroyed. Since he portrayed himself as virtuous, and one who embraced family values, he will be excoriated. This too is understandable, but unprofitable.

By:daKine7 on 6/26/09 at 4:41

bnakat: Thanks for the back/ underhanded compliment. But, your "post" will win this years Pulitzer over my LTE. I eagerly await today's crop of comments dealing with pressing topics such as critiquing current movies, chicken and lettuce prices at Kroger's, and getting back to that age old southern tradition of ridiculing cripples and people with incurable diseases. Should rival a hootenanny (whatever that is).

By:bfra on 6/26/09 at 5:38

daKine7 - Every time I check in, most messages (except for a very few) reminds me of 8 ole' biddys on a party phone line.

By:daKine7 on 6/26/09 at 5:52

bfra: You got that right. But, with the passing of McMahon, Fawcett, and Jackson this week only, I'm sure "House" has been up all night writing his material. He can really spin a hoot off that incurable cancer.

By:house_of_pain on 6/26/09 at 6:46

Ouch, d7.
I have never understood people who cheat on their spouse.
If your partner just doesn't "do it" for you anymore, why not make a clean break?
Much easier (and cheaper) on everyone in the long run.

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 6:46

Good morning.

I find todays letter an interesrting subject of discussion, but I sure that is will turn to something else before to long.

Saying that I would like to add that you don't have to a politican to be stupid and do stupid things. The reason we hear more about politican is that they are bigger targets. Things like Stanfords action happens every day.

I hope that the post today will stay on subject.

By:oyharward on 6/26/09 at 6:53

You don’t get much more Conservative or Republican than I. What destroys SC Gov. Mark Sanford is the fact that he used taxpayers’ money to visit his sweetie. He never thought that action would ever come back to bite him in the a_ _. That is a “no no”. It is sad that Sanford has imploded on his own political life.
Oscar Y. Harward
oharward@carolina.rr.com
http://conservativechristianvoice.blogspot.com

Oscar, I should think that it more than the money. Useing tax payers money is the less of Stanford's misdeeds. He left his post without a word. Leaving people confussed and worried that thw worst had happen.

The political gene promotes a sense of power - an aphrodisiac more powerful than any thing ever known to man. That sense of power tends to draw members of the opposite sex and befuddles the big brain so that the little brain has to do the thinking. Since the little brain has only one track, it's fairly easy for the politician to travel that down that trail.

Posts divert from the original subject because, eventually, everything that can be said has been said. Since it is an inherent obligation for all posters to attempt to reach that golden goal of 300+ posts per day, it is only natural that they will branch to other subjects.

By:Dragon on 6/26/09 at 7:11

I very well could be a character flaw of politicians, those with a desire for power and an inflated sense of self-importance.

Using taxpayer money for his tryst is, or should be, an impeachable offense. Throw him out of office.

By:TH on 6/26/09 at 7:12

Someone please tell me what "legally separated" means, does that mean you have no sex?

By:Dragon on 6/26/09 at 7:13

Pain, Argentina is not in North America, if that was the point of your joke.

By:house_of_pain on 6/26/09 at 7:47

I know, Dragon. I realized my mistake after I posted. I meant free trade. My bad.

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 7:48

Legally Separated does not mean devorced. It means that a couple can not get a long with each other, but don'y want to get a devorce.

Maybe each state has it's on version.

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 7:49

Nemo,

I actually agree with you on this one...one doesn't have to be a politician to do something stupid like cheating on your spouse. Actually, the difference is, IMO, that politicians can't hide it as well as "ordinary" people because in this age, they're under a microscope all the time.

Humm...now that I think about it, the politicians that do this really must be dumber. Not only were they dumb enough to actually cheat on their spouse but they were dumb enough to think they wouldn't get caught even will all the press they get.

By:house_of_pain on 6/26/09 at 7:51

Why does it need to be "legally" separated? Can you be "illegally" separated?

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 7:54

I guess the honeymoon really IS over if Obama is threatening to veto a bill from Congress. Not that I mind actually, as the fighter jets Congress wants to finance are not requested nor desired by the military as they are already antiquated from what I understand.

House nears vote on $550.4 billion defense bill

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090625/pl_nm/us_congress_defense_1

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 7:57

So we agree chief. Well it goes to show that you can be wronge all of the time. lol

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:00

house- Lack of coffe, but I know were Argentina can be found. wink wink

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:02

chief is the first to get off the subject.

CAH he is one of you, righties.

By:daKine7 on 6/26/09 at 8:04

CAH: Where did you get this Gold Standard of reaching 300 posts any given day?
Do you read and comment any other papers? Well, I do, and TCP is unique in it's character is more of a "chatter line", stale jokes, and something you would find in an old folks home's bulletin board.
It veers off topic about 9:00am or after 15 posts, which ever happens first.
That said, I need some fresh cottage cheese and salami today. Which store has the best bargain?

By:house_of_pain on 6/26/09 at 8:04

Getting off topic around here is like sex with Kobe Bryant.
You can kick and scream all you want, but it's still gonna happen.

By:Dragon on 6/26/09 at 8:05

Chief, the F-22 and F-35 are not antiquated. The are the replacements for the F-15, F-16, A-10, AV8, etc. Those are the antiquated fighters.

The liberals don't think we need military superiority, until we are in a war and then they scream that our personnel are killed by the enemy.

By:gdiafante on 6/26/09 at 8:07

Maybe if Dargent wrote better letters it would sustain the debate.

You'll have to excuse Dragon, he had his funny bone removed during the lobotomy.

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 8:07

Nemo,

I can be wrong all of the time...does that mean we're both wrong??? ?8^\

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:09

It did not make it to 9 a m. chief is usually the first to get off the subject. It must be his ADD

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 8:10

Dragon,

I heard on the military didn't really want the fighters because something newer and better is out now...but that Congress wanted them as a pork project.

I may be wrong though...I was listening to the news on the radio and may have misheard this one.

By:idgaf on 6/26/09 at 8:15

By: Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 7:03
Oscar, I should think that it more than the money. Useing tax payers money is the less of Stanford's misdeeds. He left his post without a word. Leaving people confussed and worried that thw worst had happen.
****************************************************

Wait long enough and sooner or later even I can agree with Nemo.

Best one liner I heard over this incident is

Geez we are even exporting our mistress jobs now

By:daKine7 on 6/26/09 at 8:16

I don't know what I was thinking. First, I wrote the dang LTE. Mistake #1. Then I said, "Off topic and stale jokes" at 9:00am or 15 "posts". Should of read 8:00am and 10 posts. I'm messed up over the Jackson death.

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:16

No chief it is just you that is wrong all of the time and can not focus for very long ;-/

By:house_of_pain on 6/26/09 at 8:17

Tito, get d7 a tissue...

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:19

No surprise for me id. Yoou are 99% wrong and 1% dumb-luck. lol

By:gdiafante on 6/26/09 at 8:19

Chief, quick, sing Dargent "Ben" to make him feel better...

By:slacker on 6/26/09 at 8:23

legally separated means you have started giving your money to a lawyer.

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 8:23

Nemo,

Really? Then if I agree with you, then you MUST be wrong, since I am wrong all the time, right?

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 8:24

Gdia,

Ben, the two of us need look no more....we've both found what we were looking for.

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 8:25

House,

"Getting off topic around here is like sex with Kobe Bryant.
You can kick and scream all you want, but it's still gonna happen."

Sounds like rape to me.

By:house_of_pain on 6/26/09 at 8:26

That was the joke, chief.
I need new material, I guess.

By:Dragon on 6/26/09 at 8:28

If you're always wrong, then saying you're always wrong must be wrong, so you are not always wrong, so you are wrong, ..........

NOMAD, must sterilize, must sterilize.

By:gdiafante on 6/26/09 at 8:31

Nah, house. The material's great...it's the audience...some just don't get it...

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:33

Reading this post is like watching a Simpson cartoon. It starts in one direction and then it does a 180 and goes off into the sunrise. lol

By:Captain Nemo on 6/26/09 at 8:35

chief

Reallly!

By:daKine7 on 6/26/09 at 8:36

Common guys,...only 40 comments and it's 8:30am. According to CAH, we have to hit 300+ to remain in good standing with TCP.

By:CAH on 6/26/09 at 8:37

D7, pardon me. I neglected to put in the [/sharchasm] after "golden standard" because I thought it would be obvious. It apparently was oblivious instead.

Yes, "sarchasm". Look it up.

By:daKine7 on 6/26/09 at 8:38

Naw, Admiral. It's like The Three Stooges when facing each other to, "point to the right".

By:chiefpayne568 on 6/26/09 at 8:41

House,

I got the joke. I was saying that with sarcasm. Sorry I didn't put that in.